Howpasley Farm - North Cottage

The western Scottish Borders offer a slow pace that suits walkers, cyclists and birdwatchers. Howpasley Farm sits at the head of the Borthwick Water valley, where the main sounds are birdsong, wind and water over rocks. North Cottage, one of two former farmworkers' cottages on the property, opens directly onto marked trails through Craik Forest and forest roads for miles around. Hawick is 12 miles away for supplies; Edinburgh lies under two hours' drive north and Carlisle about an hour south.

The cottage holds four people across two bedrooms—a kingsize and two singles—with one bathroom. Downstairs you'll find a living room with a woodburner and TV, plus a kitchen/dining room with a full electric cooker, microwave and washing machine. The essentials are covered: heating, electricity, bed linen, towels and wifi. Initial logs for the wood burner come with the booking. Outside, a fenced garden with seating area and furniture offers a place to sit, and there is private parking for two cars. A bike store is on site. The cottage does not allow smoking.

If you need extra space, North Cottage can be booked with South Cottage nearby to accommodate eight people in total.